Matrix distributor control for line composing machines



M. T. GoETz 2,086,547

Filed Feb. 16, 19.35 2 Sheets-Sheet l lNVENTOR MU/'PUS 7.' G0572 ATTOREY July 13, 1937.

MATRIX DISTRIBUTOR CONTROL FOR LI M. T. GoETz 2,086,547

NE COMPOSING MACHINES Filed Feb. 16, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'an qu" uINVENTOR 4440205 7. G0572 ATTOR Y 55 to the structurey more PatentedJuly 13, 1937 UNITED STATES MATRIX DISTRIBUTOR CONTROL FOR LINECOMPOSING MACHINES Maurus T. Goetz, Chicago, Ill., assigner, by mesneassignments, to

Teletypesetter Corporation, a

corporation of Delaware Application February 16, 1935, Serial No. 6,8243 Claims.' (C1. 19e- 43) The present invention relates to linecastingand composing machines which utilize circulating matrices and moreparticularly to linecast-v ing and composing machines operated from anautomatically operated` controlling unit.

In conventional types of line composing machines served by a pluralityofsets of circulating matrices there is employed a line composingmechanism for releasing the matrices from a storage magazine, and anelevator for moving assembled lines of matrices from a position at whichthey are arranged in the sequence of line composition to be delivered tothe casting mechanism. A line delivery slide thereafter moves theassembled matrices to the casting mechanism and an elevator liftsthematrices after they have returned from the casting mechanism to analtitude from which they may be gravitated to the channels of thestorage magazine. The distribution of the various matrices and theirseparation into the respective channels of the magazine from which theyoriginate is executed by a coded distributor bar and a set of screwthreaded cono veyor shafts ordinarily in continuous rotation but capableof being instantaneously arrested upon a very slight interference withtheir movement, as by a blocking or jamming, due to a misalignment ofthe matrices.

According to a feature of the present invention, automatic linecomposition is arrested in the event that the matrix distributor shaftsare disabled, thereby bringing the entire machine to rest and preventingthe depletion of any of the classes of character matrices which mightotherwise follow because of the corresponding exhaustion of thosecharacters during the composition of subsequent lines of matrices andthe disability of the matrix distributing apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple andreliable device operative in response to an improper operation of thedistributor shaft of a linecasting machine for interrupting theoperation of the automatic control unit.

In attaining the foregoing object, the present invention contemplatesthe provision of a control switch presented endwise of one of thedistributor conveyor shafts and a control switch operating mechanismassociated with one of the distributor shafts and responsivecentrifugally to its rotation.' The automatic operating mechanismillustrated in connection with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention corresponds fully disclosed .and kdecome impaired, renders alevel from which they may scribed in copending application Serial No.600,606, filed March 23, 1932, a portion of which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. In this type of apparatus there is employed arecord reader operating shaft which carries several actuating elementsthat function to sense and advance a perforated control form. Anoperating magnet or solenoid, actuated in response to the closure of acircuit controlled by a centrifugally operated mechanism related to thedistributor shafts and operated when they bethe record readerineffective by disengaging the clutch through which power is-furnishedfrom the source of power to advance the control form.

For a comprehensive understanding of the present invention, referencemay be had to the accompanying drawings and to the following detailedspecification in each of which similar reference characters have beenassigned to corresponding parts throughout. In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a portion of the operating unitfeaturing the record reader mechanism and its operating shaft;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of one end of a conventional type oflinecasting and composing machine, featuring a duplex distributorapparatus including one embodiment of the present invention appliedthereto;

Fig. 3 is a detailed elevational view partially in section takenapproximately on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detailed plan view taken approximately on line 4 4 of Fig. 3illustrating partially in section the centrifugal switch controlmechanism;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View through a portion of the operatingmechanism illustrated in Fig. l, and

Fig. 6 is a detailed elevational View of the centrifugal switchmechanism illustrated in Fig. 4.

The functions of a linecasting and composing machine may be generallysummarized as including matrix composition, line casting, and matrixdistribution. In the adaptation of automatic control mechanism to thesupervision of the aforementioned functions, a unitary structure hasbeen devised for coordinating the various functions and forintercontrolling their performance so that in the event of certainpossible irregularities of operation, predetermined emergency responseswill follow.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a fragment ofperforated tape is indicated by the reference character Il. Thetransverse perforations in this record are successively sensed by a setof feeler levers I2 by a cam I3 and permitted to return by individualreturn springs (not shown) alternately. The cam i3 is secured to acontinuously rotatable shaft i4 to be generally referred to hereinafteras the record reader operating shaft. Another `cam l5, also carried byshaft I4, cyclically stimulates a linkage for intermittently advancingthe tape il. The tape sensing and tape advancing functions follow inalternative succession and coincide with each revolution of the shaftlll.

Power for rotating the record reader operating shaft i4 is obtained froma continuously the elements of a tooth clutch li, 'the driven acounterclockwise direction as viewed in` Fig. l. The detaileddescriptionof the aforesaid copending vapplication sets forth how, among otherresults, in response'to the selection of the bar 24, lever 'f3 is rockedclockwise, causing its portion 35 to` be presented in the path ofrevolving lug i9.

Inconnection with the present invention, the same lever i3 is broughtunder the selective control of an additional supervisory element byhaving at its end 22, articulated through a link 23, one end of anarmature lever 23 which is pivoted at 2l and whose opposite end may beselectively attracted by an operating magnet '28. Under the selectivecontrol condition about to be described, when the magnet -28 isenergized, the armature 26 is rotated counterclockwise, pulling thelever 'i3 through Athe link 25in a clockwisey direction and vpresentingthe opposite end f lever i8 into the, path of projection i9 for therebydisengagi-ng the elements of clutch Il.

To prevent the assembler elevator1 from being falsely initiated at thistime, link 23 is provided with a slot connection 3E! at its junctionwith the three-armed lever 2li so that the motion of link 23 is notcommunicated backward therethrough.

As set forth above, the instance of the `particular supervisory controlis to be governed by an i-nterruption'in operation of the distributormechanism. Accordingly, reference will now be had to'Figs. 2-4 whereinthere are illustrated the elements of a matrix distributor apparatus. Inthe particular embodiment, a commercial type of duplex distributor l1sillustrated which is designed to accommodate a plurality of storageHowever, as will be noted in the course of the following description,the principles ofthe present invention are equally applicable to asingle distributor mechanism. Each set of distributor shafts comprisesthree longi- `Aaccesar?l tudinal conveyor spirals indicated 3l, 32, and33. The shafts which form the spirals 3l and 33 are driven from acontrol shaft or shaft eX- tension 34 by means of a set of end pinionsgenerally indicated by the reference character 35, while the shaft 32 isdriven through gear 36 by a driving pinion cooperating with it andcarried by thel shaft of screw 3l.

In connection with the particular illustration, the primary or lower setof distributor shafts are driven through a pulley wheel 31 and belt 38from the so-called intermediate shaft of the principal machine. Thedriving connection is communicated through a clutch generally indicated39 designed to disconnect instantly upon the slightest impairmentencountered by the primary distributor shaft 4|.

The primary shaft 4| through belt chain driving connection 42 rotatesthe secondary distributor shaft 34, which in turn communicates itspowertothe secondary or upper set of distributor spirals 3'2 and 33. Whenaninterruption of movement causes shaft 4l to become arrested, shaft 34 issimultaneously arrested. This is equallytrue whether the impairmentwhich trips clutch r39 arises in connection with the primary distributorsystem `or i-n the secondary distributor system. I

As best noted in Fig. 3, theconveyor shafts 3l and 33 are ofsymmetrically opposite helices to that of shaft 32 so thatas the set ofshafts (5l-33 are driven concurrently the thread grooves within theirrespective threads are constantly in transverse alignment, and as thespirals are rotated, the alignment is apparentlyv advancedlongitudinally with respect to a distributor bar 43 upon which thematrices 44 are suspended. A coded system of notches is arranged havingvarious combinations of toothed clearances in transverse alignment withthe channels 45 of their magazines 46.' The matrices 44 may in thismanner proceed longitudinally until the particular teeth thereofcoincide with the clearance portions provided in the distributor bar 43,at which instant a particular matrix is precipitated into its associatedchannel 45. n

vThe mechanism thus far described is well known in the art of linecomposing machine construction as adapted to manual control operation.

control affecting the aforedescribed matrix distributor systems. Typicalamong such condimight ordinarily occur while the automatic operatmg unitis in continuous actuation, taxing the capacity of the casting mechanismto its limit and giving rise to a condition where one line of composedmatrices is in an advanced state of completion, a second line issuspended 'at the delivery slide level, a third in in various stages ofthe system as a result of which certain alphabetical charactors,lbecause'of their natural or special frequency'of occurrence, constituteso much of the composed matter fin the aforementioned four linesofcomposition as to deplete nearly all of the available supply off-.theparticular channel.

If under'such'conditions of operation the distributorshafts larearrested due to a jamming of the -matrices'or due to any other ofseveral probable conditions, therema-y result the total depletion ofthose certain characters whose supply is ordinarily low. If, when thisoccurs, the recordreader operating unit is permitted to continue,subsequently composed lines of matrices will be assembled with thedepleted matrices omitted. This disorder would not only necessitatehaving to readjust the machine manually at a great loss of time todetermine the number of lines to be recomposed, but may also, becauseofthe composition of too short lines, result in the jeopardous front orrear squirts in the vicinity of the casting chamber.

To prevent the above possibility, the present invention provides a gear41 carried by one or the f' other of the distributor shaft extensions 34or 4| (in the instant case, shaft 34). This gear, through its associateddriven pinion 48, imparts a rotary motion to a stub shaft 49 which isjournaled in a block 5|. One end of the shaft 49 is enlarged as at 52and thereat securely vcarries a housing 53 fastened by transverse screws54. Within the housing 53 there are provided a pair of symmetricalweight elements 55 pivoted at 56, each having integrally formed with itan inwardly presented lip 51. A trigger shaft 58 in axial alignment withthe stub shaft 49 has integrally formed with it a flange 59 whichengages the lips 51 of the centrifugal weights 55. A slight longitudinalfreedom is permitted shaft 58, but by reason of the pressure of aconcentric coil spring 6|, shaft 58 is urged rightwardly, as viewed inFig. 4, causing flange 59 through the lips 51 to draw the centrifugalweights inwardly toward the shaft 58.

During the time in which the distributor shafts 3|-f-33 are in rotationand the shaft extensions 34 or 4| through gear 41 impart the rotation tostub shaft 49, the weights 55 are centrifugally divaricated inopposition to the tendency of spring 6|, causing the opposite end ofshaft 58, see also Fig. 5, to be withdrawn from engagement with thecontactor 62 of contact pair 53. This permits the contact pair 63 toseparate, opening the circuit which originates at positive currentsource and continues through contacts 63, conductor 64, the winding ofmagnet 28 to ground. Since this is the normal condition existent duringthe time in which the principal machine is in operation and while thedistributor conveyor shafts are functioning, it may be termed the normalsupervisory condition for when the principal machine is dormant, theswitch control mechanism effects its disabling position but not then ina super'- visory capacity.

The instant that the rotary movement is arrested and shaft 49 isstopped, the centrifugal force ceases and spring 6| is permitted toexert its influence to move shaft 58 longitudinally and close thecontact pair 63. As a result of the energization of magnet 28, armature26 is attracted, moving in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 21.Through link 25, lever I8 is moved in a clockwise direction about itspivot 2| until the projection G5 is presented into the path of therevolving projection I9 carried by the record reader actuating clutchl1, thereupon the record reader operating shaft |4 is arrested, holdingin abeyance the several elements of the record reader sensing andadvancing apparatus.

When the distributor shafts 3 |-33 are arrested due to a jamming of thematrices or due to any other of several probable conditions, clutch 39becomes disengaged, and as a result thereof shaft 49 ceases to rotateand contacts 63 are closed, causing the energization of electromagnet 28and the resulting operation previously described. The 'removal of thematrices which became jammed or the other cause which effected thedisengagement of clutch 39 and the closure of contact 63,

resulting in arresting the performance of the record reader, conditionsthe apparatus for further operation. Further operation is achieved byrotating the knurled member secured to the free end of shaft 4|, Fig. 2.Such operation of .shaft 4| causes the engagement of the driven memberof clutch 39 with the driving member thereof, and thus causes therotation of the distributor shafts 3|-33. The rotation of thedistributor shafts of course causes the rotation of shaft 49 and due tothe centrifugal action of weights 55 contacts 63 will be opened,electromagnet 28 will be deenergized, and the record reader will bestarted again due to the removal of projection 65 from, the path of theprojection 49 to allow operating shaft |4 of the record reader to berotated through clutch |1.

Discontinuing operating power from the principal machine causes thedistributor shafts 3 |-33 to assume their rest positions with clutch 39engaged. Under such conditions, contacts 53 will be closed andelectromagnet 28 will be energized, provided the operating power forelectromagnet 28 is not removed simultaneously with the removal ofoperating power from the principal machine, which of course would be adesirable feature of operation. When power is again applied to theprincipal machine, distributor shafts 3|-33 will rotate, as will shaft49. The rotation of the latter shaft causes the weights 55 of thecentrifugal mechanism to assume a position where contacts 63 will beopened, electromagnet 28 will be deenergized, and the operating shaft |4of the record reader will be released for rotation.

While the present iilnvention has been explained and described withreference to a particular embodiment, it will be understood thatnumerous modifications and variations may be made without departing fromthe spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, it is not intended to belimited by the detailed illustrations in the accompanying drawings norby the language of the foregoing description, except as indicated in thehereunto appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

i. In a line composing machine for selectively assembling anddistributing a plurality of classes of circulating matrices, anautomatic control u'nit responsive to signals for selectively releasingfor assembly matrices during line composition, a rotatable distributorfor moving said matrices during distributive separation, a pair ofcentrifugally weighted arms rotatable during the movement of saiddistributor, a spring for urging said arms in opposition to theircentrifugal tendency imparted by said distributor, a contact controllingmember movable by said spring in one direction and by said weighted armsduring their centrifugal tendency in an opposite direction, and meansresponsive to said contact controlling member for arresting theperformance of said control unit.

2. In a linecasting and composing machine, a storage magazine having aplurality of channels each adapted to receive a class of slug castingmatrices, a plurality of release elements each associated with one ofsaid channels for releasing matrices in accordance with signals storedin a tape, a mechanism for sensing the signals of a tape and foradvancing the tape, a conveyor for moving matrices after composition toredistribute `them' into said channels, a clutch for communieatingrpower to -saidtape sensing and advancing mechanism, means including anormally deenergized electromagnet, circuit connections under thecontrol of said conveyor for energizing said electromagnet todisengage'theelements of said clutch and arrest said mechanism, and adevice conveyor for controlling said comprising a pair of Weightedsupervised by said circuit connections rarms pivotally supportedin alongitudinal position parallel urging said Weighted arms inwardly,and acontact actuator moved by said coil springin one direction and by saidWeighted arms in another direction when said device is rotated by saidconveyor to control said circuit connections.

3. In a linecasting and composing machine, a storage magazine having aplurality olf channels each adapted to receive aclass of slug castingform, a mechanism for-communicating centrifugal action,

faenas@ .matrices, Va plurality of release `elements each associatedwith one of said channels for releasing said matrices underthesupervision of a control for sensing and advancing said control form,a .conveyor for moving matrices after the composition fof each line toredistribute them into said channels, a clutch .having elements a coilspring in axial alignment with said shaft for urging said weighted armsin opposition to their centrifugal tendency, and a contact closingmember moved in one directionby said coil spring and in an opposite`direction under thev control of said Weighted arms.

MAURUS T. GOETZ.

